PRESS CONFERENCE BY CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER

PRESS CONFERENCE BY CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER

Canada’s main priority was the reform of the United Nations, Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon.  Informing journalists about a new Canadian initiative on the responsibility of States to respond through prevention mechanisms within the framework of the United Nations, he said such mechanisms were of crucial importance in situations involving genocide and flagrant violations of human rights.  While some had expressed reluctance about the idea of prevention mechanisms and humanitarian intervention, the initiative was in its initial stages and there was still time for an exchange of views on the complex topic.  He reminded correspondents that the campaign to ban anti-personnel mines had also been a mere idea, at one time.

A journalist suggested that there had been huge humanitarian benefits in intervening in Iraq.  Would such a situation be included in the Canadian initiative?  Mr. Chrétien responded that the United Nations was needed in all humanitarian situations, but any intervention must be approved by the Security Council.  Listening to heads of States speaking during the general debate, he believed that there had been a renewed commitment of all speakers to reform the United Nations, in order to strengthen it.

When asked how Canada could help to bridge the perceived divide between the United States and France, he stressed that Canada’s position had been made absolutely clear from the beginning.  There was no use in dwelling on the past.  Countries must come together to decide on the future of Iraq.  Canada had already contributed approximately $300 million after the war to reconstruct Iraq, develop the justice system and strengthen law enforcement.  He hoped that others would follow suit.  The goals for Iraq were the same; the division was on how to achieve those goals.  It was important to establish an Iraqi regime in Iraq.  Ironically, that was an urgent need that could only be achieved one step at a time.

Addressing other issues, he said Canada believed that there must be an international force in the Middle East and that the international community should shoulder its responsibility in the region.  The international community had acted to solve the situations in Cyprus and Kosovo.  The same must be done in the volatile region of the Middle East.

In response to a correspondent’s question about the relationship between Canada and Pakistan on nuclear proliferation, in view of the upcoming meeting between the two heads of State, he said that Canada was concerned about nuclear proliferation in Pakistan.  He would also discuss how to strengthen the Pakistani Government’s role in fighting the scourge of terrorism.

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